Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, hosted Benin’s newly elected President Romuald Wadagni in Ouagadougou on Tuesday, as the two heads of states agreed to revive bilateral relations after years of tensions.
Footage shows Traore greeting Wadagni upon arrival at the airport, followed by a national anthem ceremony, talks, and further discussions at the Koulouba presidential palace, where the leaders also held a joint press conference. Both were later seen at the airport again, as Wadagni bid farewell to Traore before departing.
During a joint press conference, Burkinabe Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo, expressed Ouagadougou’s welcome for Wadagni’s visit.
“This visit is fully in line with the shared commitment of the two heads of state to strengthen the historic ties of friendship, brotherhood and cooperation that bind Burkina Faso and the Republic of Benin,” Ouedraogo remarked.
“At the bilateral level, the two presidents reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening political dialogue and deepening cooperation between their countries. They emphasised the need to build a renewed partnership based on trust, mutual respect, solidarity and the search for solutions to the common challenges facing the region,” the minister added.
Both countries also sought to cooperate on common issues, including cross-border crimes, terrorism and violent extremism.
Wadagni’s visit marks the second leg of his West Africa tour, following his first stop in Niger’s capital Niamey earlier on Tuesday.
The trip is part of an effort to ease tensions between Benin and its Sahel neighbours, which have deteriorated following military takeovers in Niger in 2023 and Burkina Faso in 2022.
Source: Viory
